---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Parents sometimes think of newborns as…"
description: "\"Parents sometimes think of newborns as helpless creatures, but in fact parents' behavior is much more under the infant's control than the reverse. Does..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a49/sandra-scarr-23477_baby_parents-sometimes-think-of-newborns-as-h_764241.png"
---

#  Parents sometimes think of newborns as helpless creatures…

![“Parents sometimes think of newborns as helpless creatures, but in fact parents' behavior is much more under the infant's control than the reverse. Does he come running when you cry?” quote by Sandra Scarr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a49/sandra-scarr-23477_baby_parents-sometimes-think-of-newborns-as-h_764241.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a49/sandra-scarr-23477_baby_parents-sometimes-think-of-newborns-as-h_764241.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a49/sandra-scarr-23477_baby_parents-sometimes-think-of-newborns-as-h_764241.png)

> “Parents sometimes think of newborns as helpless creatures, but in fact parents' behavior is much more under the infant's control than the reverse. Does he come running when you cry?”

[Sandra Scarr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-scarr/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Parents often think infants are helpless, but infants actually influence parental behavior more than expected.

**In simple terms:** Infants shape how parents act.

Key Takeaway

Recognize infant agency.

Themes

parenting development control

Mood

insightful analytical

Type

educational psychological

When to use this quote

- parent‑infant interaction
- early childhood education
- family dynamics
- caregiver training

Key Concepts

attachment behavioral influence

Questions to Reflect On

- How does infant behavior guide parenting?
- What strategies respect infant agency?

A Different Perspective

Parents may underestimate infant needs.

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